The growth of urban centres, environmental concerns and the protection of water for cultural and social purposes makes water prioritisation an issue of hot debate. Our panel from different sectors will discuss the issues, challenges and possible solutions to ensure sustainable management of our water resources.

Discussing the issues with the current water allocation and consent system

Understanding the unique demands and challenges faced by all sectors

Looking into solutions for improving and reducing degradation of our freshwater resources

Delegates are invited to discuss their perspectives on the sustainable management of NZ’s freshwater allocation system and then report back to the group.

3.10

Afternoon break

3.40

A Māori approach to freshwater management

Understanding the Māori perspective on freshwater issues and discussing the concept of kaitiakitanga

Discussing the mechanisms, frameworks and formulas for Māori participation in protecting such a critical resource

Focusing on ways to form and maintain successful collaborative partnerships for all stakeholders involved

Hayden Turoa, Executive Advisor to Iwi, Government and Business

4.20

Encouraging sustainability through science

Policy makers need to be aware of the science which can measure what they are trying to achieve. A sound understanding of contaminant sources, their flow pathways and potential attenuation strategies have the potential to transform the impact we have on our freshwater. This session will focus on:

Identifying the three key contaminants that have been recognised as indicators of water quality

Recognising New Zealand’s diverse environment and potential benefits of a catchment by catchment approach

How to use emerging science and technology for targeted and effective water quality management measures

Case study – the effects of the NPS-FW and climate change on water users and storage options for Wairarapa

Water Wairarapa is investigating the viability of water storage that could provide multiple benefits for the Wairarapa.

Looking into how the NPS-FW and associated new limits planned for water quality and quantity, and new climate change forecasts, are predicted to significantly reduce water reliability for existing water users including urban supply and environmental flows

Opportunities and challenges the NPS-FW provides for proposed large scale water storage schemes

Investigating the impact to existing water users from water resource limits and climate change, the resulting potential effects to Wairarapa, and the conundrum it poses for proposed water storage options

A pilot project evaluating the use of purposeful recharge to help replenish declining groundwater levels, restore baseflows in coastal spring-fed streams (drains), and improve water quality of the underlying shallow aquifer and groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Looking into the collaboration between regional and local councils, DHB, and environmental advocacy groups to sustainably manage groundwater quality and quantity for the Ashburton community

Targeting high nitrate levels, and stabilising and restoring overallocated groundwater storage to restore baseflows to streams and rivers

Explaining what the data shows and the results thus far, and the community plan to develop a catchment-wide groundwater replenishment scheme

What caused the gastroenteritis outbreak in August 2016 in Havelock North

What did the Government Inquiry identify as having gone wrong? What did the Panel say needed to change to protect public health and avoid serious outbreaks of illness caused by contaminated drinking water going forward?

What systemic changes has the Government Inquiry recommended? How do we work this into a consenting framework?